The influence of Cola nitida on Testosterone and Progesterone Concentrations in the Overweight Humans under Resting Condition

In quest of a stimulant to cope with rather challenging activities, some individuals take to the consumption of Cola nitida. The most active ingredient, caffeine, could be responsible for the physiological or clinical effects of Cola nitida in humans. Such a practice could culminate in the abuse of the said substance. Caffeine might alter hormonal profiles and thereby affect menstrual function, which might have a direct bearing on fertility. Amongst other factors, testosterone and progesterone are important to the chances of fertility in the humans. Besides, it has been well documented that the probability of pregnancy is reduced by 5% per unit of body mass index exceeding 29 kg/m2. From some published evidences of the high prevalence of infertility nowadays, the need for this study was thereby necessitated. Here we report the influence of Cola nitida on testosterone and progesterone concentrations in the overweight humans under resting condition in Ambrose Alli University. Twenty (20) overweight volunteers (10 males and 10 females) and non-habitual Cola nitida chewers, aged 18-28 years were used for the study. 0.5g/kg body weight of Cola nitida was administered to each subject to be chewed as a bolus. After ingestion, 50ml of water was given to each volunteer to flush the masticated Cola nitida down the gut. The subject was allowed to rest for 90 minutes. Blood sample was collected from the medial cubital vein using vacutainer syringe. The radio-immunoassay principle was used for the estimation of testosterone and progesterone levels. The results showed that Cola nitida consumption by the overweight male and female subjects significantly (P<0.05) increased serum level of progesterone in the females (from 0.730 ± 0.065 ng/ml to 2.880 ± 0.083 ng/ml) and decreased serum testosterone level in the males (from 5.600 ± 0.382 ng/ml to 2.340 ± 0.157 ng/ml). We show that Cola nitida, at the specific dosage, could increase the chances of fertility in females but not in the male overweight subjects.